Systems and methods for presenting an interactive user interface

ABSTRACT

A system interactively controlled by a TV viewer remote control transmitter displays portions of a scroll program guide on the viewer&#39;s display screen. A tuner receives TV radio frequency or optical transmission signals in a plurality of cable channels and passes a viewer usable signal to a signal combiner. A computer receives control signals from the TV viewer remote control transmitter. It controls the tuner to pass the viewer usable signal in response to one of the control signals. It receives and stores a scroll input picture image signal containing local program guide data and generates a scroll output picture image signal consisting of at least a portion of the scroll input picture image signal. The signal combiner combines the viewer usable signal from the tuner with the output picture image signal from the computer to provide a display signal for input to the viewer&#39;s display screen. The computer is responsive to variable control signals from the remote to advance, back up, and freeze the scroll output picture image signal. It is also responsive to directional control signals from the remote to reposition a “highlight” background to corresponding program data slots on the scroll grid and to display further program information corresponding to the program of the data slot shown in “highlight”. In addition, it is responsive to further directional control signals to redraw the grid to display earlier or later time segment program data than is normally displayed on the viewer&#39;s screen.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/227,481,filed Jan. 7, 1999, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.08/763,615, filed Dec. 11, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,498, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/225,246, filed Apr. 8,1994, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to interactive videocommunications and more particularly concerns viewer controlled channelprogramming guide displays.

[0003] Channel programming guide information is presently displayed tothe home TV viewer in a non-interactive scroll. When the home viewerselects the channel programming guide display, the display is viewed asit is transmitted from the cable network. Consequently, the viewer mayhave to wait for almost the entire running time of the scroll for adesired segment of the scroll to be displayed on the viewer's screen.Furthermore, the program information on the scroll is changed atdiscrete time intervals selected by the cable provider. Consequently,only the programming information included in the discrete time intervalof the transmitted scroll can be observed by the home viewer. Laterprogramming information will become available to the viewer only whenthat programming information comes into the particular discrete timeinterval selected for transmission by the cable provider. In otherwords, the viewer has no alternative but to wait for the scroll todisplay the desired programming time slot and, when it is displayed, canview it only for as long as that scroll segment remains on the screenduring its normal running time. Any distraction at this juncture startsa new waiting period. It is, therefore, an object of this invention toprovide a process and in-home scrolling hardware by which a home viewermay interactively control a channel programming guide. Another object ofthis invention is to provide a process and in-home scrolling hardware inwhich the scroll can be stopped by the home viewer. Another object ofthis invention is to provide a process and in-home scrolling hardware bywhich a home viewer may forward scroll the channel programming guide.Another object of this invention is to provide a process and in-homescrolling hardware by which a home viewer may reverse scroll the channelprogram guide. Another object of this invention is to provide a processand in-home scrolling hardware by which a home viewer may select adiscrete time interval of channel program guide information from aplurality of discrete time intervals of such information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with the invention, a system interactivelycontrolled by a TV viewer remote control transmitter displays portionsof a scroll program guide on the viewer's display screen. A tunerreceives TV radio frequency or optical transmission signals in aplurality of cable channels and passes a viewer usable signal of aselected one of the channels to a signal combiner. A computer receivesany of a plurality of control signals from the TV viewer remote controltransmitter. It also controls the tuner to pass the viewer usable signalin response to one of the control signals from the TV viewer remotecontrol transmitter. It also receives and stores a scroll input pictureimage signal containing local program guide data and generates a scrolloutput picture image signal consisting of at least a portion of thescroll input picture image signal. The signal combiner combines theviewer usable signal from the tuner with the output picture image signalfrom the computer to provide a display signal for input to the viewer'sdisplay screen. The computer is responsive to a “forward” control signalfrom the remote to advance the scroll output picture image signal, to a“reverse” control signal from the remote to back up the scroll outputpicture image signal and to a “stop” control signal from the remote tofreeze the scroll output picture image signal. It is also responsive todirectional control signals from the remote to reposition a “highlight”background to corresponding program data slots on the scroll grid and todisplay further program information corresponding to the program of thedata slot shown in “highlight”. In addition, it is responsive to furtherdirectional control signals to redraw the grid to display earlier orlater time segment program data than is normally displayed on theviewer's screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following detailed description and uponreference to the drawings in which:

[0006]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment ofthe hardware of the interactive scroll program guide;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the basic process and optionsof the interactive scroll program guide;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating further options of theinteractive scroll program guide;

[0009]FIG. 4 is a representation of an interactive scroll program guidedisplay for a selected date and time;

[0010]FIG. 5 is a representation of the interactive scroll program guidedisplay of FIG. 4 in a “scrolled down” condition relative to FIG. 4;

[0011]FIG. 6 is a representation of the interactive scroll program guidedisplay of FIG. 5 in a “highlighted” condition relative to FIG. 5; and

[0012]FIG. 7 is a representation of the interactive scroll program guidedisplay showing selected information describing the program highlightedin FIG. 6.

[0013] While the invention will be described in connection with apreferred embodiment and process, it will be understood that it is notintended to limit the invention to that embodiment or process. On thecontrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications andequivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Turning first to FIG. 1, the components of the interactive scrollprogram guide are illustrated. A computer 11 having a commandinformation receiver, preferably an infrared or radio frequency receiver13, provides a control signal 15 to a tuner 17 and a picture imagesignal 19 to a digital video board 21. The tuner 17 converts ordemodulates radio frequencies or optical transmission to a signal usableby the viewer to output a signal 23 selected from a plurality of signals25 input to the tuner 17 from the cable source (not shown), typicallyfrequency division multiplexed video, audio and data signals transmittedvia a coaxial cable, over-the-air radio frequencies or fiber optics. Thedigital video board 21 converts digital data into a video signal. Thetuner output signal 23 is superimposed on or combined with a scrollinformation picture image signal 27 from the digital video board 21 in agenlock signal combiner or overlayer 29. The combined scroll and TVpicture signal 31 is then displayed on a video signal display devicesuch as the display screen 33 of the viewer's television. The viewersends commands to the receiver 13 to control the operation of thecomputer 11 by the use of a remote control transmitter, preferably aninfrared or radio frequency transmitter 35. The computer 11 is based ona microprocessor and may utilize random access (RAM) and/or read only(ROM) memory. The software necessary to operate the microprocessor maybe embedded in the device or downloaded via the cable system to thedevice.

[0015] The above described interactive scroll program guide componentsoperate in response to the control of the computer 11. As shown in FIG.2, when the home viewer elects to view the scroll mode 51 by operationof the viewer remote control 35, the computer 11 automatically resets tothe top of the grid 53 so as to set the display of the scroll at itsbeginning point for viewing. The computer 11 then provides a controlsignal 15 to the tuner 17 to select the channel designated by the homeviewer's cable system as its programming data channel 55. The computer11 further causes the portion of the display 33 on which the programdata is to appear to be masked 57. With the existing program guide areaof the display masked, the computer 11 causes the picture image signal19 to be generated, thus causing the program guide grid to be drawn 59.With the grid drawn, the computer 11 further initiates operation of amillisecond timer 61 which causes the picture image signal 19 to befired in millisecond intervals. The operation of the millisecond timer61 adjusts the speed of the scroll by changing the number of lines ofpixels moved at one time. When a timer interrupt 63 permits a change,the software scrolls the grid by causing deletion of the forward lines65, copying of the rest of the lines forward to overlay the deletedlines 67 and addition of new lines to the rear of the grid 69. This isrepeated every few milliseconds so that a smooth scroll is accomplished.

[0016] Each text line is generated when the first pixel line in thattext line is needed. This text line is stored in a memory buffer untilall of its pixel lines are used and then is replaced by the next textline. This allows the pixels to be used without having to regeneratethem each time the scroll is updated. When the last text line isreached, the first text line is generated and added onto the screen in acircular fashion. Thus, the scroll becomes a continuous loop. Typically,the scroll will be changed in one to three pixel line increments andpreferably in two pixel line increments for a display having anapproximately two hundred pixel line scroll. The current text line isremembered and, if the viewer stops the grid, the current text line ispositioned at the top of the grid and the scroll timer halted. Lookingat FIG. 4, the viewer display screen 33 displays, on approximately itstop half, the display defined by the viewer usable signal 23 passed bythe tuner 17 (display not shown). It also displays, on approximately thebottom half, a first horizontal data slot divided into vertical columnsindicating the proper date 201 and second the program times, as shown,in two half hour increments 203 and 205. Second, third and fourthhorizontal data slots are divided into a vertical column showingsequential channel identifications 207, 209 and 211 and into othervertical columns showing program identification data for correspondingchannels and times 213, 215 and 217. As shown, the scroll has advancedto illustrate data for channels 15 MAX on slots 207 and 213, 16 ENCOREin slots 209 and 215 and 17 TJC in slots 211 and 217. As scrollingcontinues the channel 15 MAX data will be removed, the channel 16 ENCOREdata and 17 TJC data will move up to slots 207 and 213 and 209 and 215,respectively, channel data will be presented in the lower slots 211 and217. When the scroll is reversed, the above described process isexecuted in opposite fashion. That is, the rear bit lines are deleted,the bit lines are moved rearwardly and the last bit lines are added tothe front of the grid. Looking at FIG. 5, the scroll of FIG. 4 has beenreversed so that the channel 17 TJC and channel 16 ENCORE data have beenremoved, the channel 15 MAX data has moved down to the lower slots 211and 217 and channel 14 HBO and 13 PREV data have been added to the slots209 and 215 and 207 and 213, respectively.

[0017] In one preferred operating mode of the invention, the “backarrow” key of the remote would be used for reverse scrolling operation,the “forward arrow” key of the remote would be used for forwardscrolling, the “enter” key of the remote would be used to stop thescroll, the “right arrow” key of the remote would be used to forward thetime slot, the “left arrow” key of the remote would be used to back upthe time slot, the “stop” key of the remote would be used to exit andthe “power” key of the remote would be used as an off switch.

[0018] The computer routine will inquire as to whether one of thecomputer keys used in the routine has been pressed 71. If the answer is“NO”, the routine returns to point 73 to maintain the inquiry. If theanswer is “YES”, the routine continues via another route 75. In the“YES” route 75, the next inquiry may be whether the viewer has selecteda user exit 77 by pressing the “stop” key. If the answer to this inquiryis “YES”, the routine returns to the previous menu 79. If the answer tothis inquiry is “NO”, the routine may determine if the viewer hasselected a scroll reverse direction 81 by pressing the “back arrow” key.If the answer to this inquiry is “YES”, the routine continues through areversal stage 83 which shifts the pixel rotation as above described andthen returns to the routine at point 73 to the key pressed inquiry 71.If the response to the reverse direction inquiry 81 is “NO”, the routinemay next inquire whether the viewer has chosen to stop the scroll 85 bypressing the “enter key”. If the response to this inquiry is “YES”, theroutine is routed to stop the timer 87 so as to cease the sequence ofpixel line rotation. At this point, the routine further directs that thegrid be redrawn to the current top channel 89 so as to index the grid todisplay complete programming data for the top channel displayed on thegrid. With the grid thus redrawn, the routine may place the system intoa highlight mode 91 to be hereafter explained. In any event, the redrawngrid will be displayed until the viewer selects a new mode of operation.

[0019] The user may also select a different programming time slot, thuschanging the program information displayed. That is, a different pictureimage signal 19 corresponding to the time slot selected by the viewerwill be generated by the computer 11 for display. The entire grid willthus be redrawn for the time slot chosen. Thus, if the response to thestop the scroll inquiry 85 is “NO”, the routine may continue to a timeforward inquiry 93. At this point in the routine, the screen displaycontinues as shown in FIG. 4, with the channel identification andprogram identification slots scrolling in a normal forward sequence ashereinbefore described. If the viewer has pressed the time forward or“right arrow” key, a “YES” response to the time forward inquiry 93 willcause the time slots to be advanced by a predetermined increment time 95and the grid redrawn 100 so that the scroll will display informationrelevant to a different time slot. The time slots can be arranged in anypredetermined increments, the increments normally being chosen in onehour segments. With the grid redrawn, the routine returns through point73 to the key pressed inquiry 71 for a repeat of the routine. If theanswer to the time forward inquiry 93 is “NO”, the routine continues onto a time backward inquiry 97. If the time backward or “left arrow” keyhas been depressed, a “YES” response will cause the time slots to bebacked up by a predetermined decrement time 99 and the grid redrawn 100to the next earlier time segment in opposite fashion as for theincrement time 95 portion of the routine. With the grid redrawn 100, theroutine then returns through point 73 to the key pressed inquiry 71 tobe repeated. If the answer to the time backward inquiry 97 is “NO”, theroutine returns through the point 73 to the key pressed inquiry 71 toagain continue the routine.

[0020] Turning now to FIG. 3, another routine option is presentedbeginning with the highlight mode 91 earlier discussed in relation toFIG. 2. If the viewer has proceeded through the stop scroll inquiry 85with a “YES” response, the top program identification slot 213 will beautomatically drawn highlighted 101 by a background color different thanthe remainder of the grid. At this point, the viewer may select one ofseveral keys. For example, the “enter” key would indicate a command todisplay the first program information highlighted. Alternatively, the“up arrow”, “down arrow”, “right arrow” and “left arrow” would indicatedirectional movements of the highlight condition in reference to theprogram information then highlighted. For example, in FIG. 6, the viewerhas opted to “down arrow” the highlight to the second programidentification slot 215. Finally, the “exit” key would be used toindicate a desire to exit the highlight routine of the program. If, at akey pressed inquiry 103, the answer is “NO”, the routine returns throughpoint 105 to maintain the key pressed inquiry 103. If, however, theanswer is “YES”, the routine proceeds to an “enter key” inquiry 107. Ifthe answer to this inquiry is “YES”, the routine continues to thedisplay program information stage 109 so that specific informationregarding the highlighted program will be displayed on the screen asshown in FIG. 7. The program would then continue to another key pressedinquiry 111. If the answer to this inquiry is “YES”, this will indicatethe desire of the viewer to exit the display of that particular selectedinformation and the routine is returned through point 105 to the earlierkey pressed inquiry 103 to continue the highlight routine. If the answerto the key pressed inquiry 111 is “NO”, the routine returns to the samekey pressed inquiry 111 to maintain the display presently existing forthe viewer. If the response to the enter key inquiry 107 is “NO”, theroutine proceeds to a direction key inquiry 113. If the answer to thisinquiry is “YES”, the highlight will move in the direction of the keypressed 115 as above described and the grid will be redrawn 117 to showthe highlight moved. With the highlight so moved, the routine willcontinue through point 105 to the key pressed inquiry 103 forcontinuance of the highlight routine. If the response to the directionkey inquiry 113 is “NO”, the routine will proceed to an exit key inquiry119. If the answer to the exit key inquiry 119 is “YES”, the routinewill exit back to the user selection or scroll mode 51 shown in FIG. 2.If the answer to the exit key inquiry 119 is “NO”, the routine willcontinue through point 105 to the key pressed inquiry 103 forcontinuation of the highlight routine.

[0021] Thus, each individual viewer will be provided with an interactivescroll program guide which can be programmed at intervals by the cableprovider to provide programming data for a multiplicity of viewing timesegments. The home viewer can in turn interactively determine whetherthe scroll of data should be forwarded, reversed, stopped or changed asto the time displayed. In addition, the viewer may select to highlightcertain data or to display additional information relevant to a selectedprogram.

[0022] Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordancewith the invention, an interactive scroll program guide that fullysatisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While theinvention has been described in conjunction with specific embodimentsthereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and in light ofthe foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within thespirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for invoking an interactive userinterface, comprising: receiving a user interface invocation commandfrom a user; invoking the interactive user interface in response toreceipt of the user interface invocation command so that a userinterface display is presented to the user; tuning to a televisionchannel in response to the user invoking the interactive user interface;and displaying at least a portion of the television channel.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the television channel provides a continuouspresentation of promotional videos for television programs and services.3. The method of claim 1 wherein the television channel comprisesprogramming data channel videos and programming data channel data. 4.The method of claim 1 wherein the television channel comprisesprogramming data channel videos.
 5. The method of claim 4 furthercomprising causing the interactive user interface to be displayed as anautomatically scrolling grid of program guide data on one portion of adisplay and the programming data channel videos to be displayed onanother portion of the display.
 6. The method of claim 5 furthercomprising enabling the user to adjust how quickly the automaticallyscrolling grid is scrolled.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein thetelevision channel comprises programming data channel data.
 8. Themethod of claim 7 further comprising causing the programming datachannel data to be masked when the interactive user interface and the atleast a portion of the television channel are displayed.
 9. The methodof claim 1 further comprising: causing the interactive user interface tobe displayed as an automatically scrolling grid containing a pluralityof time slots; and enabling the user to advance the grid by at least oneof the time slots.
 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising: causingthe interactive user interface to be displayed as an automaticallyscrolling grid containing a plurality of time slots; and enabling theuser to move the grid backward by at least one of the time slots. 11.The method of claim 1 further comprising: causing the interactive userinterface to be displayed as an automatically scrolling grid; andenabling the user to control in which direction the grid scrolls. 12.The method of claim 1 further comprising: causing the interactive userinterface to be displayed as an automatically scrolling grid; andenabling the user to stop the grid from scrolling.
 13. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: enabling the user to select an item ofprogram guide data in the interactive user interface; and causingadditional information on the selected item to be displayed.
 14. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: causing the interactive userinterface to be displayed as a grid; and enabling a user to enter ahighlight mode in which a portion of the grid corresponding to aselected television program is highlighted.
 15. The method of claim 14further comprising causing information related to the selectedtelevision program to be displayed.
 16. The method of claim 14 furthercomprising enabling the user to move the highlighted portion of thegrid.
 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising enabling the user toexit the highlight mode.
 18. A system for invoking an interactive userinterface, comprising: a user input device that receives a userinterface invocation command from a user; a computer that invokes theinteractive user interface in response to receipt of the user interfaceinvocation command so that a user interface display is presented to theuser; a tuner that tunes to a television channel in response to the userinvoking the interactive user interface; and a display that displays atleast a portion of the television channel.
 19. The system of claim 18wherein the television channel provides a continuous presentation ofpromotional videos for television programs and services.
 20. The systemof claim 18 wherein the television channel comprises programming datachannel videos and programming data channel data.
 21. The system ofclaim 18 wherein the television channel comprises programming datachannel videos.
 22. The system of claim 21 wherein the computer alsocauses the interactive user interface to be displayed as anautomatically scrolling grid of program guide data on one portion of adisplay and the programming data channel videos to be displayed onanother portion of the display.
 23. The system of claim 22 furthercomprising a remote control that enables the user to adjust how quicklythe automatically scrolling grid is scrolled.
 24. The system of claim 18wherein the television channel comprises programming data channel data.25. The system of claim 24 wherein the computer also causes theprogramming data channel data to be masked when the interactive userinterface and the at least a portion of the television channel aredisplayed.
 26. The system of claim 18 wherein the computer also causesthe interactive user interface to be displayed as an automaticallyscrolling grid containing a plurality of time slots, and wherein thesystem further comprises a remote control that enables the user toadvance the grid by at least one of the time slots.
 27. The system ofclaim 18 wherein the computer also causes the interactive user interfaceto be displayed as an automatically scrolling grid containing aplurality of time slots, and wherein the system further comprises aremote control that enables the user to move the grid backward by atleast one of the time slots.
 28. The system of claim 18 wherein thecomputer also causes the interactive user interface to be displayed asan automatically scrolling grid, and wherein the system furthercomprises a remote control that enables the user to control in whichdirection the grid scrolls.
 29. The system of claim 18 wherein thecomputer also causes the interactive user interface to be displayed asan automatically scrolling grid, and wherein the system furthercomprises a remote control that enables the user to stop the grid fromscrolling.
 30. The system of claim 18 further comprising a remotecontrol that enables the user to select an item of program guide datafrom the interactive user interface, and wherein the computer alsocauses additional information on the selected item to be displayed. 31.The system of claim 18 wherein the computer also causes the interactiveuser interface to be displayed as a grid, and the system furthercomprises a remote control that enables a user to enter a highlight modein which a portion of the grid corresponding to a selected televisionprogram is highlighted.
 32. The system of claim 31 wherein the computeralso causes information related to the selected television program to bedisplayed.
 33. The system of claim 31 wherein the remote control alsoenables the user to move the highlighted portion of the grid.
 34. Thesystem of claim 31 wherein the remote control also enables the user toexit the highlight mode.